PLANE BAN NOT CHALLENGED

Kirk Newman, the first pilot to be cited for flying an overweight plane at North Perry Airport, has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor and paid a $500 fine.

Newman, a pilot for Duncan Aircraft Sales in Venice, was cited on Oct. 24 after he lifted off from North Perry in a Beechjet Diamond II.

He was charged with violating the county's ban on planes taking off at North Perry if they have a maximum takeoff weight of more than 12,500 pounds. The Beechjet has a maximum takeoff weight of 15,780 pounds.

The ban was imposed after the Broward Aviation Department promised residents that larger planes and jets would be kept out of the airport.

Some North Perry tenants had hoped that Newman would challenge the ban.

Newman's attorney, Henry Volpe, said on Tuesday that Newman "lives in Sarasota. He didn't want to bother challenging (the law)."